Carrying device



Aug. 24, 1965 w. M. SIMPSON 3,202,309

CARRYING DEVICE Filed March 23, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR.

WALTER M J/Mm'o/v Zg, ayaw/ THEV Aug. 24, 1965 w. M. SlMPSON CARRYING DEVI CE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 25, 1964 Aug. 24, 1965 w. M. SIMPSON 3,202,309

CARRYING DEVICE Filed March 25, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 [20 23b "ll 23a n II] l x H x I A zyb j INVENTOR.

Aug. 24, 1965 w. M. SIMPSON CARRYING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 25, 1964 wwy K A w m @m w w m d d 4, 1965 w. M. SIMPSON 3,202,309

CARRYING DEVI GE Filed March 225, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 k y INVENTOR.

W4; r512 M J/m sau 5. 5 7 %MA%W orney United States Patent memes CARRYINQ DEVRE Walter M. Simpson, 62% Senate Ave, Evansville, Ind. Filed Mar. 23, 1964, *Ser. No. 354,516 3 Claims. (ill. 2151Ni) The present invention relates to a carrying device for an article such as a container or a bottle, and more particularly to a new and novel carrying device which is readily assembled for use, and which positively retains the article carried thereby in position for use, the instant application being a continuation-in-part of patent application Serial No. 175,437, filed February 26, 1962, for Carrying Device, now abandoned.

As is known, it is diffcult to handle the large size containers or bottles commonly used today for milk and like products, with such handling oftentimes resulting in breakage, or other damage, because of slipping from the users hands. Not only is the preceding difficulty present in handling the product from, for example, the refrigerator to the table, but it also extends to the actual pouring procedure.

By virtue of the instant invention, the applicant has provided, in several embodiments, a new and novel carrying device for a container or bottle which is conveniently packaged and/or stored, which is readily assembled for use and which effectively and safely retains the container or bottle used therewith during such use. In one form, the carrying device comprises an upstanding frame memher having a carrying arm and a base portion, where, through a positive locking structure, a product engaging auxiliary base member is releasably retained thereon. The top portion of the frame member is adapted to receive an elastic member which, when the device is used, is slipped around the neck of the product being carried.

In another form, the instant carrying device comprises a frame member having a carrying arm and a base portion, where an auxiliary base member selectively received on the base portion has a load bearing surface for the product being carried, and where, when assembled and in use, the principal weight of the carried product is received on a supporting surface when the carrying device is set down. Moreover, an upper product encircling member, releasably secured to the frame member, is provided for retaining such product in a positive carrying position, where both the auxiliary base member and the upper product encircling member are rotatable on the frame member so that the entire assembly can be caused to be in substantially the same plane.

The latter relationship is of important significance insofar as packaging is concerned, or even for subsequent consumer storage of the instant carrying device, in that a minimal space requirement is needed. In this connection, the prior discussed form of carrying device is also representative of this feature, where the rigid components thereof are united by a breakable web for shipment, and where the releasable assembly provision thereof permits separation and, hence, low storage space requirements.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel carrying device for a container or bottle which is readily assembled and which positively retains the container or bottle thereon for highly effective use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel carrying device for a container or bottle which is readily conditioned for convenient storage.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel carrying device for a container or bottle having components capable of simple assembly for use, as well which are positive acting during such use.

A still further and more general object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel carrying device for a container or bottle which is made from a minimum number of readily assembled components, where, in one form of the invention, the principal weight of the con tainer or bottle being carried rests on a supporting surface for the device.

Other objects and a better understanding of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation showing one form of the applicants new and novel carrying device;

FIG. 2 is a view in rear elevation of the new and novel carrying device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the carrying device of FIG. 1, where each of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show a bottle typically being carried thereon in phantom lines;

FIG. 4 is a view in vertical section, taken at line 44l of FIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing details of the positive locking arrangement for the base assembly of the applicant's new and novel carryin device of such figure;

FIG. 5 is a view in side elevation of another form of carrying device in accordance with the instant invention, where this figure, as well as FIG. 6 show, in the alternative, by phantom lines, a bottle and a waxed container carried by the instant invention;

FIG. 6 is a view in rear elevation of the new and novel carrying device of F IG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a plan View showing the form of carrying device of FIGS. 5 and 6 in a packaging and/ or storage condition.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the applicants new and novel carrying device it? typically comprises an upstanding frame member 12 which has a carrying arm 12a extending rearwardly and downwardly therefrom and a lower base portion 1215, where the latter has a front wardly extending portion terminating in an upturned portion 120. An upper hookdike portion 12f extends generally upwardly and forwardly from the frame member 12, in the general area or" the carrying arm 12a, for purposes to be discussed more fully herebelow. in a typical embodiment of the invention, the frame member 12, the arm 12a, the base portion 12b with its upturned portion 12c, and the hook-like portion 12f are all integrally formed, preferably from a molded lightweight plastic material.

With particular reference now to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the applicants new and novel carrying device it also cornprises an auxiliary base member 14, which, when assembled, is received and locked on the base portion 1251 through an opening 14a defined therein, where a recess 12a is provided in the base portion 12b for .a snap-lock type arrangement between the auxiliary base member 14 and the base portion 12b. The auxiliary base member ldTlike the other parts described hereabove, is typically made from a lightweight plastic material, and, preferably, prior to initial assembly, is secured to the frame member 12 through a breakable web or membrane. The latter permits convenient one plane packaging and merchandising of this form of the invention.

The hook-like portion 12 is provided at the free end of the frame member 12 to receive an elastic element 15, Where the latter is positively retained therein due to the stretching action required for such positioning, i.e. its cross-sectional area is reduced in order for it to pass into the hook-like portion 12 As should be apparent from the above, this embodiment of the applicants novel invention typically comprises three components, i.e. the aforedescribed frame member 12, the auxiliary base member 14, and the elastic element 15, where the latter is of such dimension as to provide the necessary holding force for the product being carried. a a V During assembly, the auxiliary base member 14 is slipped into the upstanding front portion 120 of the base portion 12b through opening ltd-a, and ultimately snaps into a positive locked position defined by the recess 12:; on the base portion 12b. The assembly operation is completed by stretching the elastic element 15 so that it can be retained within the opening defined by the hook-like portion 121 on the frame 12.

It should be apparent, therefore, that after the assem bly operation described hereabove, a bottle, for example,

(shown by phantom lines in the drawings) is readily positioned on the device, and the elastic element simply secured around its neck. The carrying device 10, with the aforesaid bottle thereon, can be readily and conveniently moved by means of the carrying arm 12a, with the elastic element 15 preventing any upsetting of the product during pouring or, as a matter of fact, while carrying from place to place. Moreover, because of the releasable snap-lock arrangement between the frame member 12 and the auxiliary base member 14, the unit can be readily disassembled for purposes of storage, and, conversely, readily reassembled for subsequent use.

Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, another embodiment of the applicants new and novel carrying device is disclosed which comprises an upstanding frame member 22 defined by a handle portion 22a and a lower base portion 22b, where, typically, such frame member 22, as well as the other operative components, to be discussed herebelow, are made from a molded lightweight plastic material, metal, or the like.

In any event, the upstanding frame member 22 further comprises an opening 22c proximate the upper region of Y the handle 22a, while another opening 22d is proximate the region of the base portion 22]) thereof. Such openings 22c and 22d in the handle 22 are adapted to selectively receive and position an auxiliary upper member 23 and an auxiliary base member 24-, to be discussed more fully herebelow.

In this connection, the auxiliary base member 2d is defined by a rim 2 5a having, along one portion thereof, a receiving surface 241') for the product being carried. A locking member 240, having portions Edd-24c, extends from a portion of the rim 24a, and when such portions 245440 are squeezed together, the locking member 240 is adapted to be inserted into the opening 2201 in the handle 22.. In this regard, a snap-lock effect is achieved, where enlarged portions 24d on the aforesaid portions 2dce2dc" of the locking member 240 permit the desired positive assembly and locking.

The auxiliary upper member 23 is similar to the auxiliary base member 2d, in that it also includes a rim 23a; however, the product receiving surface is not provided. The auxiliary upper member 23 also comprises a locking member 2312, being in two parts 23b23b, also squeezable togethenwhich is adapted to be received in the opening 22c in the frame member 22. Enlarged portions 230 similar to the aforedescribed enlarged portions 24d, are

7 of components, which is readily packaged for merchanalso provided for positive assembly and locking of the auxiliary upper member 23 and the frame member 22.

After manufacture, if desired, or, in any event, before use, the auxiliary upper member 2 3 and the auxiliary base member 24 are reieasably united with the upstanding frame member 22 at openings 22c and 22d, respectively. In that the described snap-fit is established, both of such members are releasable, when and if desired, but, in any event, are readily rotatable to and from a substantially in-plane position (FIG. 7) to the position of FIGS. 5 and 6, ie a position of use. The in-plane position is particularly desirable for convenient packaging and merchandising of this form of the invention, as Well as for customer storage.

The invention embodiment of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 is particularly advantageous, for example, in the carrying and use of conventional milk containers, either glass or cartons, Where, it should be understood, the product receiving surface 24b bears the weight of the container being carried. When the carrying device is placed on a supporting surface, such as a table, for example, the principal weight of the article being carried rests on such supporting surface and not on the device itself, thereby providing a highly stable unit not susceptible to ready unintentional overturning by the consumer.

From the preceding, it should be apparent that the applicant herein has provided a new and novel carrying device, in several forms, which has a minimum number dising, which is readily assembled, which conveniently and effectively receives and positions a container or bottle used therewith for subsequent use, and which is readily converted to a storage condition. The applicants carrying device is, of course, susceptible to various changes within the spirit of the invention. For example, changes in form and dimensions can be accomplished, depending upon the particular article to be carried. 'Thus, the above description should be considered illustrative, and not as limiting the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1.. A carrying device for a container comprising a rigid frame member extending along a side of said container, a rigid container encircling upper member, and a rigid container receiving base member having a substantially upstanding container encircling wall and a container engaging bottom wall, said rigid container encircling upper member and said rigid container receiving base member each being laterally and rotatably mounted on said rigid frame member.

2. The carrying device of claim 1 where said rigid container encircling upper member and said rigid container receiving base member are rotatable to a position generally co-planar with respect to said rigid frame memher and with respect to each other.

3. The carrying device of claim 1 where said container engaging bottom wall extends over a portion of the area defined by said container encircling wall, the remaining area exposing said container for direct engagement with a supporting surface.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,810,502 10/57 Wackerhagen 220-- 2,961,121 11/60 Bergey 220-85 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,065,993 6/54 France.

JOSEPH R. LECLAlR, Primary Examiner. FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Examiner. 

1. A CARRYING DEVICE FOR A CONTAINER COMPRISING A RIGID FRAME MEMBER EXTENDING ALONG A SIDE OF SAID CONTAINER, A RIGID CONTAINER ENCIRCLING UPPER MEMBER, AND A RIGID CONTAINER RECEIVING BASE MEMBER HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY UPSTANDING CONTAINER ENCIRCLING WALL AND A CONTAINER ENGAGING BOTTOM WALL, SAID RIGID CONTAINER ENCIRCLING UPPER MEMBER AND SAID RIGID CONTAINER RECEIVING BASE MEMBER EACH BEING LATERALLY AND ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID RIGID FRAME MEMBER. 